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General discussion

Best camcorder under $2000 for student filmmakers

Aug 15, 2010 1:37AM PDT

Hi,

I am looking for a prosumer level camera under $2000. I will be shooting short films and promos. Some of the "must have" features are-

1. Cinema look- 24p
2. Wide lens
3. Image stability in motion
4. Ease of edit
5. High Speed(optional)

Also suggest me a good edit system for the same.

Thanks in advance.

Discussion is locked

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You missed a couple of requirements
Aug 18, 2010 2:20PM PDT

Manual audio control, external mic connectivity, record to low-compression video format.

There is no prosumer camcorder that meets all the requirements... assuming we have the same definition. Mine includes:
Lens 60mm filter diameter or larger.
3CCD or 3CMOS imaging chip array; 1/4" or larger
External mic connection (prosumers are usually 1/8" stereo so you need an XLR Adapter to use good mics. BeachTek and juiceLink a worth a look)
Manual controls (zoom, focus, white balance, audio control, zebra - and others) on the outside of the camcorder, not buried in a menu.

Closest I can get you are the Canon GL2 (standard definition) Sony HDR-FX7 (standard or high definition). Neither has 24p or high-speed frame rate. Both are miniDV tape based which means your computer must have a firewire port. Connection with anything USB will not allow the video into the computer.

Editing - on which computer? Macs and Final Cut; Windows and Vegas or Premiere...

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Requirements
Aug 18, 2010 3:27PM PDT

Sincere thanks for replying. I have a Mac and would be editing on FCP or Vegas.

As for format, I am keen on HD video and can work around 60i to get the 24p film look. I am going to have to use an external sound recorder so its not much of a concern for me. But I do need the high speed, high quality lens to collapse depth of field etc..As i said the prime purpose is to shoot short films, promos and low budget ad films.

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Interesting comment you made...
Aug 18, 2010 11:00PM PDT

Sounds like you know about still images and likely SLRs (and DSLRs).

Since you are using an external field audio recorder, perhaps a DSLR (Nikon, Canon, Sony, a few others) would be appropriate. They'll give you what you need (but not high speed video capture - for s l o w m o t i o n playback).

There is no version of Sony Vegas that runs on Mac OSX - though I suppose you could run Windows on the Mac hardware and use Vegas that way. Final Cut Express and Pro will likely be suitable. Which Mac you are running can make a difference.

Most have firewire ports (MacBook Air and some versions of MacBook do not - and a firewire port cannot be added).

Is the $2K just for the camcorder or is that supposed to include optional high capacity rechargeable batteries from the camcorder manufacturer, tripod, lights, mics, audio field recorder, cases, camera crane, vest, boom pole, shock mount and other accessories?

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Lets stick to what I had asked..
Aug 19, 2010 1:46AM PDT

2k is just for the camcorder..I can manage accessories as and when required. DSLRs are not work horse cameras and very bad with focus in handheld and movement shots.

I gather that there is no camcorder in this price range that fits my requirements.

Thanks. I appreciate your help but discussing things other than my primary concern- the camcorder is not required.

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Okie dokie.
Aug 19, 2010 6:58AM PDT

You are correct:

"there is no camcorder in this price range that fits my requirements".

"Overcranking" is not a normal feature in prosumer camcorders and rare in higher grade pro cams.

Probably better to get a decent prosumer like a Sony HDR-FX1000 or pro grade like a Canon XHA1 - and when you need high-speed, get (rent?) a camera that does that. But to answer your original question directly and meet the budget ceiling, the closest I can get you is the Sony HDR-FX7.

Perhaps someone else has a different suggestion.

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camera for school boy
Aug 24, 2010 1:24AM PDT

for 2 grand and some change i would look at the jvc gy-hm100u or the similarly priced panasonic cameras. or you can get fancy and get yourself an canon hv-30, a beachtek if needed and slap a DOF adapter on it and mount it on some rods and go get yourself a B+. Good luck freshy.

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I don't get it
Apr 20, 2011 6:59PM PDT

is the Canon 7D not fitting your options? no one has mentioned it and it's, without a doubt, better than all the cameras everyone else has mentioned (especially JVC). You can get the body and probably a few lenses for about 2 grand.

have you seen Black Swan? parts of that movie were shot with the 7D, along with an episode of House. Only additional equipment you would need is a sound recorder, my solution is using my consumer camcorder to record audio and sync it in post (works like a gem).

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Cinema quality video recording
Jun 21, 2011 9:15AM PDT

A canon dslr with a couple of prime lenses, a zoom h4n and a couple of mikes will give you the cinema quality you're looking for. To get the same image with a camcorder, you'll spend 5k. Also check out the Lumix GH2. No, it's nit heavy duty, but it's currently the best image available for the buck. Movies, tv shows, high end weddings and documentary shorts are all being filmed on Canon or Lumix right now.

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Single sensor camera shootout
Jun 21, 2011 3:07PM PDT

Zacuto posted part one of their massive test of current professional digital cameras along with the Canons and a Nikon and 2 35mm cameras. The results are eye opening. http://www.cinema5d.com/news/?p=6707. In low light tests, the $1500 Canon produced images as good or better than cameras costing $75k or more. Take a look before you write off DSLRs for a camcorder.